2023 Proposed TTS By-law Changes

Proposed Amendments

Dear TTS Members
Subsequent to the Council retreat in Cape Town in January 2023 the following eight amendments are proposed to the TTS By-laws relating to:

Rationale statement

Currently, as soon as people are approved for membership they are eligible to vote. TTS Council believes it is prudent to require new members to be TTS members for a period of time prior to granting voting privileges on substantive TTS decisions, e.g., elections, by-law changes.

Current

Each voting Member shall be entitled to one vote upon each question submitted to a vote of the Members. Members entitled to vote at a meeting must do so in person, or by signed ballot in a form approved for the purpose, but not by proxy.

Final

Each voting Member shall be entitled to one vote upon each question submitted to a vote of the Members. Members entitled to vote at a meeting must do so in person, or by signed ballot in a form approved for the purpose, but not by proxy. The voting rights of new members shall become effective following the approval of Council at its next meeting.

Rationale statement

In consideration of geography diversity, TTS membership growth, culture and transplant practices, TTS Council recommends:

  • adding Africa as a distinct region
  • realigning the majority of Middle Eastern countries into Asia
  • subdividing Asia into West/Central Asia, East Asia and South/Southeast Asia*

The proposed amendment:

  • ensures representation from Africa as well as the Middle East
  • ensures representation from different sub-regions of Asia
  • maintains 6 TTS regions
  • adds 2 Councilors-at-large

*TTS’ regional groupings are related to the United Nations geographic regions (https://unstats.un.org/unsd/methodology/m49/ and sub-regions) with the 5 Asia regions aggregated into 3 regions.

Current

The Council shall consist of twenty persons of whom eight shall be Officers comprising a President, a Past President, a President-Elect, a Vice-President, a Secretary, a Senior Treasurer and a Junior Treasurer, the Director of Medical Affairs (as defined in Section 23, who shall be the sole appointed and non-voting member of Council) and twelve Councilors-at-large representing North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia, Africa/Middle East, and Oceania. Each region shall be represented by at least one Councilor-at-large, but the number from any one region shall not exceed the proportion of members in good standing from that region in the Society. Each member of the Council shall be a full Member of the Society in good standing at the time of his/her nomination, election and during his/her term in office. Officers of the Society shall be elected from among those Members who have served one full term on the Council. Councilors-at-large shall be elected from all Members of the Society in the manner provided in these by-laws.

Amendment #2 change

The Council shall consist of twenty-two voting members of whom eight shall be Officers comprising a President, a Past President, a President-Elect, a Vice-President, a Secretary, a Senior Treasurer and a Junior Treasurer, the Director of Medical Affairs (as defined in Section 23, who shall be the sole appointed and non-voting member of Council) and fourteen Councilors-at-large representing North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia, Africa and Oceania. Each region shall be represented by at least one Councilor-at-large, except for Asia, which shall have at least one Councilor-at-large from each of three sub-regions: West/Central Asia, South /Southeast Asia and East Asia. The remaining positions shall be allocated based on the proportion of members in good standing from each region. Each member of the Council shall be a full Member of the Society in good standing at the time of his/her nomination, election and during his/her term in office. Officers of the Society shall be elected from among those Members who have served one full term on the Council. Councilors-at-large shall be elected from all Members of the Society in the manner provided in these by-laws.

Rationale statement

With the change in archival methods and the opening of the International Headquarters (IHQ) office, the role of the Historian as described in the by-laws has changed.

Current

Historian. The Historian shall serve as the reference source for all past practices and policies of the Society since its inception, and will be responsible for collecting, storing and organizing all available archives of the Society. Upon completion of their terms of office, elected officers will make available to the Historian for permanent filing all available minutes, financial records, relevant correspondence and other relevant data and policy statements developed during their tenure. As commissioned by Council at periodic intervals, the Historian may be required to review policy statements, changes in Society regulations and other activities of the Society, for presentation or publication. At the pleasure of the Council, the Historian will be responsible for establishing a narrative written record of the deliberations of the Society and of the various stages of its evolution since the beginning of the Society in 1966. Biographical data and other information regarding all Officers and Councilors who have served the Society since its inception, including photographs, will be a part of the permanent records of the Society. Information will also be gathered on a permanent basis on all individuals honored by the Society, and on all Symposia and Congresses held by the Society. At the request of Council, the Historian will be responsible for preparing and distributing the standard format of the stationary used by the Society and for storing and exhibiting the Society emblem(s) and all other memorabilia including Council and Congress records and photographs. In the interest of continuity in maintaining the permanent archives of the Society, and in the recording of all transactions and deliberations of the Society, the Historian shall be elected by the Council for a period of 6 years and may succeed himself or herself.

Final

Historian. The Historian shall serve as a reference for past practices and activities of the Society. The Historian may be called upon to assist with establishing a record of the various stages of evolution of the Society since its inception in 1966. For such purposes, the Historian may be granted access to records held by the International Headquarters (IHQ) such as biographical data and other information regarding Officers, Councilors, individuals honored by the Society, as well as details on Symposia, Congresses and other Society-related events. In the interest of historical preservation, the Historian shall be elected by the Council for a period of 6 years and may succeed himself or herself. At the discretion of the Council the Historian may, on occasion, be invited to participate in Council meetings (in a non-voting role).

Rationale statement

TTS membership consists of 34% women; however, currently only 26% of TTS Council positions are filled by women, and representation has never reached 50%. In consideration of the gender imbalance on Council, the Council suggests appointing the standing TTS Women in Transplantation (WIT) Chair non-voting member on TTS Council.

Current

The Council shall consist of twenty persons of whom eight shall be Officers comprising a President, a Past President, a President-Elect, a Vice-President, a Secretary, a Senior Treasurer and a Junior Treasurer, the Director of Medical Affairs (as defined in Section 23, who shall be the sole appointed and non-voting member of Council) and twelve Councilors-at-large representing North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia, Africa/Middle East, and Oceania. Each region shall be represented by at least one Councilor-at-large, but the number from any one region shall not exceed the proportion of members in good standing from that region in the Society. Each member of the Council shall be a full Member of the Society in good standing at the time of his/her nomination, election and during his/her term in office. Officers of the Society shall be elected from among those Members who have served one full term on the Council. Councilors-at-large shall be elected from all Members of the Society in the manner provided in these by-laws.

Amendment #4 change

The Council shall consist of twenty voting members of whom eight shall be Officers comprising a President, a Past President, a President-Elect, a Vice-President, a Secretary, a Senior Treasurer and a Junior Treasurer, the Director of Medical Affairs (as defined in Section 23, who shall be the sole appointed and non-voting member of Council), and twelve Councilors-at-large representing North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia, Africa/Middle East, and Oceania. Each region shall be represented by at least one Councilor-at-large, but the number from any one region shall not exceed the proportion of members in good standing from that region in the Society. Each member of the Council shall be a full Member of the Society in good standing at the time of his/her nomination, election and during his/her term in office. Officers of the Society shall be elected from among those Members who have served one full term on the Council. Councilors-at-large shall be elected from all Members of the Society in the manner provided in these by-laws.

Additionally, the chair of the Women in Transplantation initiative of the Society shall be an ex officio non-voting Councilor entitled to attend and express views at all meetings of the Council.

Rationale statement

Early Career Members and trainees represent the future of TTS and the field of transplantation, yet represent <10% of membership of TTS and generally are not represented on Council. In consideration of the urgency to recruit and engage early career members in the life of the society, the Council recommends an early career member position be added to Council.

Current

The Council shall consist of twenty persons of whom eight shall be Officers comprising a President, a Past President, a President-Elect, a Vice-President, a Secretary, a Senior Treasurer and a Junior Treasurer, the Director of Medical Affairs (as defined in Section 23, who shall be the sole appointed and non-voting member of Council) and twelve Councilors-at-large representing North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia, Africa/Middle East, and Oceania. Each region shall be represented by at least one Councilor-at-large, but the number from any one region shall not exceed the proportion of members in good standing from that region in the Society. Each member of the Council shall be a full Member of the Society in good standing at the time of his/her nomination, election and during his/her term in office. Officers of the Society shall be elected from among those Members who have served one full term on the Council. Councilors-at-large shall be elected from all Members of the Society in the manner provided in these by-laws.

Amendment #5 change

The Council shall consist of twenty voting members of whom eight shall be Officers comprising a President, a Past President, a President-Elect, a Vice-President, a Secretary, a Senior Treasurer and a Junior Treasurer, the Director of Medical Affairs (as defined in Section 23, who shall be the sole appointed and non-voting member of Council) and twelve Councilors-at-large representing North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia, Africa/Middle East, and Oceania. Each region shall be represented by at least one Councilor-at-large, but the number from any one region shall not exceed the proportion of members in good standing from that region in the Society. Each member of the Council shall be a full Member of the Society in good standing at the time of his/her nomination, election and during his/her term in office. Officers of the Society shall be elected from among those Members who have served one full term on the Council. Councilors-at-large shall be elected from all Members of the Society in the manner provided in these by-laws.

Additionally, the chair of the committee representing early career members of the Society shall be an ex officio non-voting Councilor entitled to attend and express views at all meetings of the Council.

Rationale statement

Since 2012 TTS has not had a Director of Medical Affairs (DMA) thus the Council proposes that inclusion of the DMA role in the by-laws is no longer relevant.

Current

SECTION 2. The Council shall consist of twenty persons of whom eight shall be Officers comprising a President, a Past President, a President-Elect, a Vice-President, a Secretary, a Senior Treasurer and a Junior Treasurer, the Director of Medical Affairs (as defined in Section 23, who shall be the sole appointed and non-voting member of Council) and twelve Councilors-at-large representing North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia, Africa/Middle East, and Oceania. Each region shall be represented by at least one Councilor-at-large, but the number from any one region shall not exceed the proportion of members in good standing from that region in the Society. Each member of the Council shall be a full Member of the Society in good standing at the time of his/her nomination, election and during his/her term in office. Officers of the Society shall be elected from among those Members who have served one full term on the Council. Councilors-at-large shall be elected from all Members of the Society in the manner provided in these by-laws.

SECTION 23. There may be a Director of Medical Affairs of the Society appointed by Council from time to time who shall be an ex officio but non-voting councillor and also an Officer of the Society. The Director of Medical affairs would be entitled to attend and express views at all meetings of the Council and of any Society committee. The Director of Medical Affairs would be generally responsible for the day-to-day management and administration of the Society’s activities and interests, with duties and responsibilities set out in writing and as directed from time to time by the President. The Director of Medical Affairs would be supervised by and report to the President and Council, as appropriate. As a Society Councillor and Officer, the Director of Medical Affairs would be entitled to the full benefit of the provisions of Sections 16 to 21 inclusive of this Article VI.

Amendment #6 change

SECTION 2. The Council shall consist of nineteen voting members of whom seven shall be Officers comprising a President, a Past President, a President-Elect, a Vice-President, a Secretary, a Senior Treasurer and a Junior Treasurer, and twelve Councilors-at-large representing North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia, Africa/Middle East, and Oceania. Each region shall be represented by at least one Councilor-at-large, but the number from any one region shall not exceed the proportion of members in good standing from that region in the Society. Each member of the Council shall be a full Member of the Society in good standing at the time of his/her nomination, election and during his/her term in office. Officers of the Society shall be elected from among those Members who have served one full term on the Council. Councilors-at-large shall be elected from all Members of the Society in the manner provided in these by-laws.

Rationale statement

TTS Presidents have generally served the Society for a period of 10 years or more, e.g.:

  • a minimum of one 4 year term as Councilor-at-large
  • a minimum of 6 years on the Executive (as President-Elect, President and Past President)
  • additionaly many have served on Council multiple times or on the Executive for multiple 4 year terms in various officer roles

In order to foster member engagement and new ideas the Council recommends precluding a Past President from returning to Council.

Current

The President, President-Elect and Past President shall serve for 2 years in each position and until their successors are installed in office, which shall occur as the last item of business at the meeting of Members at which the results of the election ballots for their successors are announced. They may not serve again in these positions. The Vice President, the Secretary, and the Treasurers shall normally serve for 4 years, until the end of the meeting of Members at which the results of the election ballots for their successors are announced. They may not succeed themselves in a consecutive term. Councilors at large shall serve for 4 years and until their successors are installed in office, which shall occur as the last item of business at the meeting of members at which the results of the election ballots for their successors are announced. They may not succeed themselves in a consecutive term.

Final

The President, President-Elect and Past President shall serve for 2 years in each position and until their successors are installed in office, which shall occur as the last item of business at the meeting of Members at which the results of the election ballots for their successors are announced. They may not serve again on Council. The Vice President, the Secretary, and the Treasurers shall normally serve for 4 years, until the end of the meeting of Members at which the results of the election ballots for their successors are announced. They may not succeed themselves in a consecutive term. Councilors at large shall serve for 4 years and until their successors are installed in office, which shall occur as the last item of business at the meeting of members at which the results of the election ballots for their successors are announced. They may not succeed themselves in a consecutive term.

Rationale statement

The experience of an unexpected passing of a TTS President-Elect demonstrated the need for greater clarity on President-Elect succession in the event of an untimely vacancy.

Current

The President-Elect shall succeed to the office of President upon completion by the President of his/her term in office or upon any earlier vacancy in the office of the President. The President-Elect shall have and exercise such powers and shall perform such duties as from time to time may be conferred upon or assigned to him/her by the Council, or as may be delegated to him/her by the President.

Final

The President-Elect shall succeed to the office of President upon completion by the President of his/her term in office or upon any earlier vacancy in the office of the President. The President-Elect shall have and exercise such powers and shall perform such duties as from time to time may be conferred upon or assigned to him/her by the Council, or as may be delegated to him/her by the President. A vacancy in the President-Elect position shall be filled by conducting a ballot among all Members. In the event that the election takes place after the TTS Business meeting at the Biennial Congress, the Vice President shall assume the role of interim President-Elect until the vacancy is filled.

Please note that amendments 2, 4, 5 and 6 all relate to Article VI Section 2 and the number of Council members. Please note, each amendment it presented separately to be voted on independently.

The text of Article VI Section 2 with amendments 2, 4, 5 and 6 accepted is presented here.

The current TTS by-laws are available on the TTS website: https://tts.org/tts-about/tts-governance.

Please note that your vote must be received no later than Saturday, October 21, 2023

If you have any technical questions, questions or concerns please contact info@tts.org.

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